Before this week, Rice had never scored directly from a set-piece in his career, but two in north London against the reigning champions of Europe meant he put an end to that hoodoo in a scenario that couldn't have been much more dramatic. His first effort curled outside the post and back in around the wall, while the second was a piledriver, so accurate and powerful that xG gave Thibaut Courtois just a 3 per cent chance of saving it. Watch both goals below:
Mikel Merino then put the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake with a stunning goal of his own, and it has put Mikel Arteta's side in the box seat for their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 - and just their third in their entire history. Naturally, it has been Rice that has grabbed all the headlines in England, but attention to the midfielder has spread like wildfire to other parts of Europe, too.
Declan Rice
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Declan Rice
The Spanish press could also scarcely believe how well executed Rice’s free kicks were as they sung his praises whilst criticising Real, and it's more than fair to suggest the England man's performance has sent shockwaves through the very country he will travel to in the second leg next week. Marca wrote, as per NogoMania:
“Declan Rice mortally wounded Real Madrid in the Champions League with his cannon shots. A terrible Real Madrid, flat, without ideas, without a plan, Courtois saved them from an even bigger thrashing.”
Focusing on Rice’s second goal, Marca said: “This goal is incredible. Rice’s performance tonight was spectacular.” Meanwhile, AS featured quotes from retired footballer Alvaro Benito, who said of Rice’s first goal: “Look at the little foul… And the wall? The shot is spectacular, but you have to put one more on the wall. A good hitter can get that spin out of you. That had to be worked on. It’s a wall error.”
As for the second, Benito said: “Oh my God… what a goal kid!”. Meanwhile, fellow pundit Dani Garrido said: “If the first one was good, this one is excellent. Red alert for Madrid.”
Manuel Jabois of El Pais also wrote: “Declan Rice, settled into that stage of life we all dream of as children and only a select few can enjoy in the same match, in the best competition and against the reigning champion, unleashed two missiles into the top corner so devastating, so impressive, that he beat Courtois after one of the craziest performances – and it’s already difficult - from the Belgian goalkeeper for Madrid."
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